REAL RIVER ROCKS

Since river rocks are on my mind, I thought I'd share how I display some real one that I had fun embellishing........

A GIFT OF LAKE SUPERIOR STONES

You know you have a good and thoughtful friend when she spends time on her vacation collecting smooth, interesting beach stones for me!  

 This lovely pile came all the way from the shores of Lake Superior....thank you Janet...I'm thrilled.

 For some they might only be rocks.....to me they are a blank canvas, waiting to be embellished and displayed as I've done here on my dining room farm table.

Close-up view....my fingers are itching to dig into my vast collection of beads & grab some of my hand dyed cordings. Often it's the simple things that can give so much pleasure!

RAIN DROPS - IN PROGRESS

Currently my focus is directed toward a challenging project.....I like challenges!

With some hesitation during a dye session with my two pals Judy & Kate, I halved a vintage laced edged line table runner and ice-dyed it. The challenges of creating wall art pieces were the flimsy nature of the fabric, construction issues because 3 of the 4 sides are 'finished', and the high intensity of the ice-dyed designs. 

First I tackled the brownish half which resulted in:  Lunaira Annual  21" x 27.5" 

Available here

I'm currently working on the 2nd half.  It reminded me of a stormy day....yet there was so much contrast between the light and dark areas I couldn't get a design to properly stand out.  After spending way too much time trying to make it work, I decided to over dye it.  Here is the result.

My intention for this half was to feature beaded rain drops. I'd been struggling to find the proper contrast to work with the original dyed fabric....pal Kate suggested instead of using silver or white beads, I could try purple and call the piece Purple Rain.  I LOVED that idea, yet the original fabric was still too blotchy and once it was over-dyed, purple no longer worked either.  Big sigh here.

I plunged ahead anyway, not knowing exactly how the project would proceed. It began by   stabilizing the linen with Pellon's light-weight non-fusible interfacing.  Then an appliqued umbrella was incorporated.  Next a very thin batting and a backing were added. Machine stitching depicts rain, yet it doesn't stand out well enough. (As I suspected.) After a deep dive into my bead stash....ah ha.....I found pewter-like metallic bugle beads as well as some color lined seed beads to further enhance the rain drops.

Now....the beading continues......taking great care not to distort the fabric.  Stay tuned......the completed piece will show up here one of these days very soon.

Enjoy seeing what other artists have been working on this week:  Nina-Marie's Off The Wall Friday, Sarah's Whoop, Whoop Friday, Crazy Mom Sews.

SaveSave

FLASH SALE

I need to update and revamp my online gallery shop to reflect the recent sales from the NC Arboretum exhibit.  So before beginning, I decided it was a great time to have a FLASH SALE!!!!  The Arboretum is a wonderful place to display quilts yet their hanging system makes it very difficult to hang mounted pieces.  An issue I'll keep in mind for our 2018 show and a happy one for any of you who've been eyeing one of my embellished mounted pieces.  All gallery wrapped pieces are finished on the back with cloth and fitted with hanging devices. Other specifics are posted below.  Click on the photo to enlarge your view.

All prices include free shipping in the US.  If interested, email me (link on right side bar).  I can bill you via Paypal or will accept a check. Don't hestitate to contact me if you have any questions.  This offer is good until July 18th - noon Est  

                                 

                         FOCUS ON NATURE 14" X 11"   © 2016

     $135

Deconstructed screen printed images on silk noil, bead embellished, hand embroidered. Mounted on canvas covered fabric backed frame with a hanging device.

*Note - the beads around the agate appear reddish, however the color more closely matches the pale orange dyed scrim. 

 MAPLE LEAF - 9 x 12" © 2015 

$125

 Artist hand-dyed, shibori printed, ice-microwave dyed, & mono printed wool featuring bead embroidery.  It's mounted on a canvas covered frame, fabric backed with a hanging device.

THE COLOR OF FALL - 12" X 9" © 2015

 $125

 Artist shibori printed, ice-microwave dyed, & mono-printed wool, machine needle lace embroidered leaves. Mounted on a canvas covered frame, fabric backed with hanging device.

INDIGO BLUE - 10" X 8" © 2015

 $125

 Artist indigo dyed linen, printed with natural foliage, bead embellished agate, and hand embroidered.  Mounted on a canvas covered frame, fabric backed with hanging device.

ELEMENTS #2 -  8" X 10" © 2015

 $125

Artist ice-dyed silk noil, hand embroidered, bead embellished. 

Gallery wrapped/cradled wood frame.  

                     

Back view.  All my framed pieces are finished on the back.

PURPLE AGATE  10" X 8" © 2014

 $125

Artist marbled cotton, hand embroidered, bead embellished, featuring a beautiful purple agate. Gallery wrapped on canvas frame, ready to hang.

AGATE INSPIRED  8" X 8" © 2014

 $125

Marbled cotton by the artist, hand embroidered, agate and bead embellished. Gallery wrapped canvas.

LIGHTNING AT SUN SET  8" X 8" © 2014

 $89

Artist deconstructed screen printed wool, hand embroidered, bead embellished, featuring a laser cut metal motif.  Gallery wrapped on cradled wood frame.

Though I work in many different styles, I'm especially drawn to simple, clean, minimal designs.....featuring a focal element which is quite visible. It draws the viewer in for a closer look where other details keep their interest. 

                     WAVELENGTH    10" w  X 8" h   ©2014
       $100 

Artist ice-dyed wool, machine stitched, hand embroidered, and bead embellished.  Gallery wrapped on wood frame.

Check out these sites to see what other artists have been creating this week: Nina-Marie's Off The Wall Friday, Sarah's Whoop Whoop Friday, Crazy Mom Sews.

SaveSave

MARY'S BEADING TECHNIQUE

Over at the C & T blog occasionally different beading techniques from my book "All-In-One Beading Buddy are posted.  This one just popped up.  Though the book is now out of print, it is available as an ebook for $6.99.

Decorative bead strings secure braid or other objects to fabric.

1. Position braid, come up through fabric at A.

2. String sufficient number of beads to completely cover thread as it crosses over braid (either horizontally or diagonally), go down at B.

3. Come up at C, add beads, go down at D (same angle as A/B).

ONE LAST BOWL

One final bowl......all remaining bowls from this recent batch will be posted in my online gallery shop shortly....email me if you are interested now.  Click here for more.

SOLD

MORE FELTED BOWLS

Another new batch....which will eventually go into my gallery shop.....for now if interested, email me using link in right side bar.  CLICK on photo to enlarge.

SOLD

FOCUS ON NATURE - PART 2

Yup....that wonderful uneven hole in the agate seemed like the perfect space to show off additional beads!  I enjoy creating dangles that feature interesting 'focal' beads at the end.

 Stacking beads to create clumps can be useful to add texture and depth to one's work. I puzzled for quite awhile about how to handle the many images screen printed onto the silk noil. Often times deconstructed screen printed fabrics are very busy and difficult to work with.  In the end, I decided to incorporate simple hand embroidery to highlight some areas and help pull the less interesting ones back into the visual mix.

FOCUS ON NATURE  14" x 11"    © 2016

AVAILABLE HERE

Deconstructed screen printed images on silk noil, bead embellished, hand embroidered. Mounted on canvas covered fabric backed frame with a hanging device.

*Note - the beads around the agate appear redish in this photo, however the  actual color more closely matches the orangey dyed scrim. 

FOCUS ON NATURE - NEW WORK FOR 2016

Well...here we are in 2016!! And that finds me finishing a previously started small piece of wall art. 

 The inspiration was this piece of deconstructed screen printed silk noil.  

 After isolating a section that would best coordinate with this interesting blue agate slice....the stabilized fabric was fitted into a Q-Snap frame. Beading in a frame provides ample support for this heavy object and it helps avoid fabric distortion during that process.

The beads are stitched in a specific pattern that creates a cage which holds the agate in position. The hole in the slice is simply too tempting......it is screaming for attention. Do come back tomorrow to see how it is enhanced.

FERNS AT SUNSET - new work

Ever since I've been creating my own fabrics, they seem to be burning a hole in my pocket!  I'm especially smitten with dyeing and working with silk noil.  The texture and depth of color of these fabrics always adds welcome complexity to my work.  Frankly, they are far less challenging to work with than a piece of eco-printed cotton or painted fabric.  But, it's the later that really gets the brain firing......and, isn't that the point?  Who wants to clone one's own work??  Not me!!  

There is so much talk lately about 'having your own style'.  I get that, and I think I've always had a recognizable style, even if it's changed somewhat over the years.  However, repeating a design, over and over using different fabrics....nah....I'd prefer to keep stretching myself.

So....here we are.....one-of-a-kind fabrics and no clue what to do with them!  Such as these eco-printed ferns with an iron mordant on mercerized cotton.

An older cotton print repurposed with acrylic paint.

I desperately wanted to use some of the painted fabric......but beyond that, I had no other 'plan'.  I began with a bright piece of hand-dyed silk noil and a scrap of black noil. 

Those recently created eco-print fabrics were calling as well........

After spending far more time than I care to admit......the following developed.  And yes, my initial inspiration; the painted fabric, was never used....and so it goes.

FERNS AT SUNSET - 12" X 16" © 2015

AVAILABLE HERE

 Artist eco-printed images, dyed silk noil,hand embroidered and bead embellished.  Mounted on a canvas covered frame, fabric backed with hanging device.

Detail

I'm linking to the following blogs....be sure to check out what other creative folks have been up to this week:  Nina-Marie's Off The Wall Friday, Crazy Mom Quilts, Whoop, Whoop Fridays. Richard and Tanya Quilts

INDIGO BLUE - NEW WORK

I'm crazy about the color indigo blue......aren't you??  This little project consumed many happy evenings as I stitched and stitched.

INDIGO BLUE    10" x 8" 

Available Here

Artist indigo dyed linen, printed with natural foliage, bead embellished agate,

and hand embroidered.  Mounted on canvas covered frame, fabric backed with hanging device.

DETAIL

SUNFLOWER SILHOUETTE - NEW FELT WORK

This piece was created using fabric recently described here.

SUNFLOWER SILHOUETTE  10" X 11" 

AVAILABLE HERE

Artist microwave ice-dyed felted wool, mono printed, 

hand appliqued & embroidered, bead embellished.

Detail

See what others have been creating this week:  Nina-Marie's Off The Wall Friday, Crazy Mom Quilts, Whoop, Whoop Friday, Richard and Tanya Quilts.

SHARING MY BEADING KNOWLEDGE

Two pals have been expressing interest in learning some beading techniques. What a lovely way to spend the day....

 Don't they look studious!

 We concentrated on the even count peyote stitch...used to attach objects such as mirrors, cabochons, and agate slices.

They both got "A's" for their diligent work!

Here's an agate slice incorporated into a wall piece, using this method.  It's fun to find slices with holes.....providing an opportunity to add some fringes.  You can view the entire piece in my blog shop.